By Dave Anderson (Death & Co Denver, 2022)

Buffalo Smile

The Buffalo Smile is equal parts post-prandial and slow sipper—decadent, structured, and complex enough to keep you coming back. Built on the spice and fruit of Seagrass rye, it weaves together dark espresso, amaro, and ginger with a tropical flash of banana. A soft whipped cream, spiked with banana liqueur and floated on top, adds a textural counterpoint to the drink’s depth. Our Death & Co x Jack Rudy Coffee Syrup ties the whole thing together, amplifying the roasted notes and rounding out the finish. It’s the kind of cocktail that blurs the line between the end of dinner and the start of the night.

2 ounces heavy cream
½ ounce Giffard banana liqueur
1½ ounces Barrell Seagrass rye
½ ounce Galliano Ristretto espresso liqueur
¼ ounce Meletti Amaro
¼ ounce Giffard Ginger of the Indies liqueur
½ ounce Death & Co x Jack Rudy Coffee Syrup
Garnish: 1 coffee bean

In a bowl, whisk the heavy cream until soft peaks form. Stir in the banana liqueur. Stir the remaining ingredients with ice, then strain into a chilled coupe. Top with a dollop of the whipped cream and grate some coffee bean over the top.